Howden, the global insurance intermediary group, has announced the acquisition of Help Me Compare Group Limited (ActiveQuote) and its subsidiaries, a prominent UK health and life insurance broker.
Howden highlighted the acquisition as a development to bolster its position in the UK health insurance brokerage market, catering to a broad range of clients, from individual consumers to multinational corporations.
Help Me Compare Group Limited (HMCGL), founded in 2009 by Richard Theodossiades, employs 132 staff at its head office in Cardiff Bay and manages premiums totalling approximately £60 million. The acquisition bolsters Howden’s presence in the consumer insurance sector and aligns with its broader strategy to expand its employee benefits capabilities to address growing client demand.
Mike Dalby (pictured above), managing director of UK consumer life & health at Howden, commented that the acquisition comes at a significant time.
Dalby noted that over the past 12 months, there has been a 46% increase in interest from individuals seeking private medical insurance to expedite access to diagnosis and treatment.
“By bringing HMCGL (ActiveQuote) into our fold, we are perfectly positioned to meet this growing demand,” he said.
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This acquisition also follows Howden’s recent purchase of AGEO Group, a leading employee benefits provider in France, further expanding Howden Employee Benefits’ global team to over 2,500 employees across 38 countries.
Glenn Thomas, CEO and global practice leader of Howden Employee Benefits, remarked that HMCGL (ActiveQuote) is a well-regarded group with strong expertise, an excellent reputation, and a team that Howden has known for a considerable time.
Rob Saunders, CEO of HMCGL (ActiveQuote), stated that after 15 years of independence, the integration into Howden marks a significant milestone in the company’s growth, benefiting both its employees and clients.
“Howden was the only company we wanted to join and together we will provide enhanced solutions for our clients,” Saunders said.
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